Goodbye custom orders

I've been working on a few commissions recently and now is the time to post them off. I was a bit sad to be handing over this large butterfly box and actually think it was nicer than the one which won the award this year! Another commission was a butterfly box for Nigel Bendle with using only Chinese stamps. Those of you who know me, know that I am a perfectionist and I actually found these stamps a bit weird to work with as the perforated edges weren't perfectly perforated!! Grrr! I was still pleased with the final result and chose a black frame to house my butterflies. The final custom order was for a butterfly box using vintage maps from the Islands of Mull, Arran and areas of Northumberland. The vintage maps were found rumaging through the buckets at the Kirkstall Bookshop Leeds. I have no idea what year the map was printed but was part of a Batholomews quarter inch to mile automobile map of Great Britain. The colours and the texture are lovely! I also made a pair of cufflinks from the vintage maps (Iona in  Mull) which I am really pleased with.

Hus & Hem Website

I just came across this website today (whilst trying to get to grips with tweeting) and had to share on here. From the words 'House & Home' in Swedish, this gorgeous shop is based in Ledbury but fear not as you can buy all the lovely things from this online shop. I'm particularly drawn to all the Elk goodies...

Oops I nearly forgot to say...

** I was awarded Artsmix Emerging Artist 2010 (Craft Practitioner) **

Check me out! Yes I know I can hardly believe it myself. On Wednesday 31st March, I attended the Artsmix 2010 Emerging Artsists Awards. I was nominated for the award last year and was thrilled to pieces but to win...is something else. The piece I entered  into the awards was Travelling Butterflies. This piece has recently been on exhibition in Debenhams Leeds (also through Artsmix). I wanted to create a piece which was simple in design yet took hours of patience to make. Each butterfly is created from collages of stamps and handcut along with a piece of raw silk - this isn't apparent until you study the piece up close. The 42 butterflies have been carefully arranged like a butterfly frame in a museum. As the winner, I am the proud owner of a fantastic award (original screenprint by a member of Artsmix), received a cash prize, work towards a solo exhibition and mentoring sessions with my award sponsor. 

Read more about the Artsmix Awards Night on the UK Handmade blog here. 

Beautiful Hannah Nunn Lamp arrived!

Hannah Nunn is an exceptional lamp maker. I own two Hannah Nunn Lamps and this custom lamp was made for my beautiful niece Jennifer (nickname Jenny pops of course!). It is so perfect that I really don't want to give it away. Hannah has just opened a new shop in Hebden Bridge which looks amazing. I haven't been down to see it yet but take a look at the shop here. No doubt I'll be coming home with yet more lamps! 

Craft Candy Spring Fling at Millenium Galleries

I had the best day at the Millenium Galleries in Sheffield on 27th March. This venue is simply great  for a craft fair. There were about 35 fantastic stalls with photography, textiles, artwork, papercrafts and jewellery. This was a really successful day for me; one of those craft fairs that I've dreamt about for a long time. I met loads of new contemporary crafters and some really friendly customers. Check out the Craft Candy website here.

Read about the day on the UKHandmade blog  also

Published - at last

Check me out if you are anywhere near a Borders or Waterstones. Not only am I on the front page of this book, I'm on page 120 and 121. I'm pretty chuffed with myself. Don't let the title put you off. This book is like a library of styles and full of inspiration - and of course, it's brilliant cos it has my work in it!

The Carpenter Joiner & Hand Railer (1887)

I found this wonderful book in The Bookshop, Kirkstal. It's got just the paper I love...old and yellowing, smooth and full of technical drawings. The book isn't in the best shape, which is why I have chosen to up-cycle the pages into envelopes - each one handcut and folded.

Blogging - part 3

I'm giving the blogging another shot. Let's see how far I get! This is my third attempt in the last few years.